Among coffee lovers, there is no one who can resist the warm drink right after lunch. However, experts and studies state that this is not the best time to ingest the liquid, you know?

Coffee after lunch?

"Coffee has polyphenols and caffeine, which hinder the absorption of some nutrients. If consumed after lunch, it can compromise the assimilation of iron present in meats, vegetables and beans. And when ingested with milk, it can interfere with the amount of calcium absorbed by the body," explains nutritionist Caian Maroni, a specialist in weight loss and hypertrophy of the Fernanda Cortez Clinic.

Furthermore, in a collaborative study From Creighton University in Nebraska and the University of Miami in Florida, researchers have shown that caffeine can also interfere with the absorption of vitamin D.

The results, published in Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology One possible explanation is that caffeine reduces the expression of vitamin D receptors in the body's osteoblasts - the cells responsible for producing bone mass.

But it doesn't stop there. Another survey, this time published in the magazine Osteoporosis International pointed out that just one cup of coffee can increase the loss of calcium in the urine due to its diuretic effect.

Finally, further studies They concluded that the same amount of the beverage, when consumed in a meal consisting of beef hamburger, reduced the absorption of iron by 39%. And for those who love a cup of coffee with bread, here's a warning: combining the two foods can decrease even more the assimilation of the mineral ( from 60% to 90% ).

Pleas

However, some tips are essential to mitigate this caffeine effect. Waiting at least one hour after lunch or dinner to drink coffee (or any beverage containing the substance) is essential.

Also, try to keep a balanced menu rich in different nutrients at every meal, so that if one meal is affected by coffee, others will still offer enough vitamins and minerals for the body.

But it is worth remembering that these recommendations may not be suitable for the elderly, people with osteoporosis, pregnant and lactating women, menopausal women, and vegans or vegetarians, because these groups need different amounts of nutrients, and must be accompanied by a professional.

Read also: Exercises that give you more energy than a cup of coffee

Benefits of coffee

In moderate volumes (up to three cups a day), coffee brings benefits to the body. cancer prevention - Besides helping the intestine to function correctly", says the nutrologist and orthomolecular Fernanda Cortez.

But the old story is true: everything in excess is bad for you. Therefore, overdoing the caffeine doses can "generate insomnia, worsen arrhythmia and cause irritation of the gastric mucosa. For those who have anemia the ideal is not to drink coffee, especially after meals," concludes the specialist.

Sources: Fernanda Cortez Nutrologist and orthomolecular nutrologist, post-graduated in Nutrology by ABRAN (Associação Brasileira de Nutrologia) and post-graduated in Functional Nutriendocrinology; and Caian Maroni He is a nutritionist and specialist in weight loss and hypertrophy.